A generally uncommon species that inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Prefers rocky reefs and seems to avoid stony corals. Coastal, sometimes in surge zones where in narrow crevices, or along rock-walls in small caves (Ref. 48635). Found under ledges during the day (Ref. 9710). Feeds exclusively on small crabs and shrimps. Capable of inflicting a painful sting. Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 30874.

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Sodwana Bay, South Africa and to the Society Islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Records from the Mascarene Islands lack verification and are probably based on Pterois antennata (Ref. 33390).

Djibouti, Kenya, Mozambique, Red Sea, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa (country), Tanzania

Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East and South Africa east to Marshall, northern Line and Marquesas Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland (Australia), New Caledonia and Tonga.

Dorsal spines (total): 12 - 13; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 5 - 6

Maximum size: 240 mm NG

24.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; (Ref. 9710))

Reddish to brownish and with 5-6 broad dark bars on body separated by pale lines; horizontal dark area on caudal peduncle (Ref. 4313). Only species of Pterois that lacks markings between its vertical fin rays and has a pair of horizontal white stripes at base of its tail (Ref. 37816).

Capable of inflicting a painful sting. Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs from the reef flat to a depth of at least 15 m. Feeds exclusively on small crabs and shrimps.

reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 30 m (Ref. 30573)

Depth range based on 60 specimens in 1 taxon.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 52 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0.4575 - 75
  Temperature range (°C): 24.633 - 29.205
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.016 - 0.862
  Salinity (PPS): 32.200 - 40.307
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.314 - 4.851
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.085 - 0.339
  Silicate (umol/l): 0.897 - 4.892

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0.4575 - 75

Temperature range (°C): 24.633 - 29.205

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.016 - 0.862

Salinity (PPS): 32.200 - 40.307

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.314 - 4.851

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.085 - 0.339

Silicate (umol/l): 0.897 - 4.892
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth: 1 - 30m.
From 1 to 30 meters.

Habitat: reef-associated. A generally uncommon species that inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710). Found under ledges during the day (Ref. 9710). Feeds exclusively on small crabs and shrimps. Capable of inflicting a painful sting.

Found in inshore waters (Ref. 75154). Lurks beneath ledges and crevices in luxuriant coral beds (Ref. 275).

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There are 3 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 3
Specimens with Barcodes: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1

Not Evaluated

fisheries: subsistence fisheries; aquarium: commercial